Utility pole and base construction



Jan. 3, 1967 c. s. CARLSEN UTILITY POLE AND BASE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 50, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. C /P/S /A/V 5. 64%? Jan. 3, 1967 c. s. CARLSEN UTILITY POLE AND BASE CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 30, 1964 IN VE N TOR. Y Cap/$774M? 62,255

United States Patent 3,295,275 UTILITY PtUlLE AND BASE CONSTRUCTEON Christian S. Carlsen, 1038 Karnus Drive, Fox Island, Wash. 98333 Filed June 30, 1964, Ser. No. 379,312 11 Claims. (Cl. 52168) This invention relates to the general field of support means and, more specifically, the instant invention is directed to the provision of support devices which are readily adapted for either indoor or outdoor use.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a utility pole and base therefor intended for embodiment, at one of its ends, in the ground and to support, at its other end, electric wires such as telephone or telegraph Wires or fencing, for example, the utility pole and base construction as described herein not being limited to a given use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a utility pole and base construction in the nature of support means, the pole and base being so constructed as to resist attacks thereon due to inclement or adverse weather conditions, and to offer the maximum of resistance to attack by termites, ants, and other forms of insects.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a utility pole and base which will not turn or shift about its longitudinal axis and wherein the pole portion of the construction can be readily and easily replaced in the event of damage without destruction of its base.

This invention has, as still another object thereof, the provision of a prefabricated reinforced concrete or cement unit to be utilized as the base for a supporting pole or post.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a combined utility pole and base therefor including means for continually supplying the base of the pole with an insecticide U prevent attack by insects and wherein the insecticide also includes compositions designed to prevent the onslaught of dry rot.

This invention contemplates, as a still further object thereof, the provision of a utility pole having as an integral part thereof a base or anchor of preformed and reinforced concrete.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a combined utility pole and base construction therefor wherein the lower end of the pole is elevated a material distance above the ground line in which the base in anchored.

This invention also contemplates the provision of a combined utility pole and base or anchor therefor wherein the component elements thereof may be prefabricated to reduce cost of production, the unit being non-complex in construction and assembly in the field, and wherein the combined utility pole and base are durable in use, requiring but little maintenance and seldom replacement.

Other and further objects and advantages of the instant invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view .of a combined utility pole and base or anchor therefor constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary detail, crosssectional view, FIGURE 2 being taken substantially on the vertical plane of line 22 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a detail transverse cross-sectional view, FIGURE 3 being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 33 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4- is a detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 4 Patented Jan. 3, 1E6? being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 4-4 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a detail cross-sectional View, FIGURE 5 being taken on the horizontal plane of line 55 of FIG- URE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 6 is a detail cross-sectional view, FIGURE 6 being taken substantially on the horizontal plane of line 66 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view of the utility pole and base according to this invention.

In construing the following specification, it is to be understood that the use of the expression utility pole embraces all types of poles or rods utilized in supporting a given construction above the ground line wherein the pole or rod is formed of wood. While the: invention is primarily concerned with adaptation into the provision of fence supports, telephone and telegraph wire supports and other open-field installations, indoor use of the invention will readily suggest itself to those skilled in this art.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 designates, in general, a utility pole and base or anchor constructed in accordance with this invention. As illustrated, the construction provides a molded substantially solid cylindrical cement or concrete base 12 in which are embedded a plurality of reinforcing solid, elongated and substantially cylindrical rods 14, the rods 14 having their respective longitudinal axes disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base 12. The longitudinal length of the rod 14 is substantially equal to the longitudinal length of the base 12.

Embodied within the base 12 adjacent the upper end thereof are a plurality of circumferentially-spaced substantially rectangular connectors 16, the connectors 16 being elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the base 12. Each of the connectors 16, at the inner end thereof, is formed with a pair of laterally-spaced vertically-extending flanges 18, 20 which serve as anchor means to prevent the displacement of the connectors 16 from the base 12 upon the exertion of a direct radial force thereon. Each of the connectors 16 is provided with a centrally-located vertically-extending pass-age 22 which is adapted to receive the upper ends of the rods 14, respectively. The base 12 is further reinforced by means of a plurality of L-shaped elements 2 1, there being one of the elements 24 for each of the connectors 16.

As is illustrated in the drawings, each of the Lshaped elements 2 includes an elongated leg 26 having its upper end portion 28 disposed in juxtaposition with respect to the outer face or side of the connector 16 with which it is associated. As shown in FIGURE 2, each of the legs 26 is bent inwardly as at 30, toward the axis of the base 12, and the lower end of each of the legs 26 terminates in a radially and inwardly-extending flange 32 through which the reinforcing rods 14 extend. To lend further anchorage to the elements 24 and against displacement thereof from the base 12 the outer end of each of the flanges 32 terminate in a downwardly-turned lip 34 as viewed in FIGURE 2. The lips 34 of each of the L-shaped elements 24 extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base or anchor 12.

Juxtaposed against the outer side of the upper end 28 of the leg 26 is a dovetailed Washer 36 molded with the base 12 and having an outer side flush with the outer side of the base 12.

The upper end of the base 12 is molded to form an inwardly-extending circumferential shoulder 37 which merges with an upwardly-projecting (reference being made to FIGURE 2) cylindrical neck 38 having a substantially cylindrical configuration, but of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the base 12.

The abovedescribed component elements of the base 12 are pre-molded or pre-cast to lend themselves as a unitary reinforced base 12.

Surrounding the neck 38 is a substantially hollow metallic cylindrical sleeve 40, the lower end of the sleeve 40 being seated on the shoulder 37. Extending transversely across the sleeve 40 is a substantially cylindrical closure wall 42, the closure wall 42 being disposed proximate, but slightly spaced from the upper end of the neck 38. The closure wall 42 is disposed intermediate the ends of the sleeve 40 and taken in conjunction therewith forms a substantially hollow cylindrical compartment 44 at the upper end of the sleeve 44) to serve a function to be described, and at the same time, forms a compartment 45 which is disposed between the upper end of the neck 38 and the wall 42. This latter compartment may be filled with white lead or any suitable type of plastic material. Any desired and conventional means may be employed to secure the wall 42 to the inner side of the sleeve 40 to form a fluid-tight connection therebetween. The upper end of the cylindrical sleeve 40 terminates in a circumferential beveled edge 46 to serve a function to be described.

Reference numeral 48 denotes a conventional one-way check valve having an end 50 threaded into the sleeve 40, the valve 48 including a nipple 52 adapted for releasable connection with a source of fluid wood preservative and/or insecticide indicated by reference numeral 54.

The base 12, as above described, is embedded within the ground 59 to a point proximate the lower side of each of the washers 36. Impaled upon the beveled edge 46 is the lower end of an elongated vertically-extending wood post or pole 60, the weight of the pole or post upon penetration by the beveled edge 46 effecting a substantially airtight seal for the compartment 44. The pole or post 60, adjacent the lower end thereof, is provided with a plurality of vertically-elongated substantially rectangular pockets 64 which are adapted to receive, respectively, a leg 66 of an insert generally indicated at 68. The inserts are substantially L-shaped, each including a foot 74 offset with respect to the leg 66 of each of said inserts.

As shown in the drawings, diametrically-opposed pairs of inserts 68 are vertically spaced from one another, and each diametrically-opposed pair of inserts is fixedly secured to the lower end of the pole or post 60 by means of a diametrically-extending bolt 72 extending transversely through the legs 66 and post 60, the bolts each being held against removal or displacement by means of nuts 74.

Each of the foot portions 70 is bored, as at 75, to receive therethrough the threaded upper end 76 of an elongated bolt 78. Since the foot portions 70 are offset with respect to the outer circumference of the lower end of the pole 60, each of the bolts 78 is bent inwardly, as at 80, toward the pole 60 and the main body portions 82 of the bolts 78 are received within grooves 84 formed at circumferentially-spaced intervals about the periphery of the pole 60 at the lower end thereof. Each of the main body portions 82, adjacent the lower ends thereof, is again bent as at 86, to form a lower end portion 88 which terminates in an eye 93. As is clearly seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, a headed bolt 92 extends through the eye 9%) and through the washer 36, the upper end 28 of the leg 26 of each of the L-shaped elements 24, and is threaded into the connector 16 passing through the passage 22 to effect engagement, at its inner end, with one of the rods 14. The lower end of each of the poles or posts 60 is thus firmly anchored to the base 12 associated therewith with the underside of each of the poles or posts 60 being firmly engaged with the beveled edge 46 of the sleeve 40 and supported thereon in elevated position above the fluid preservative and insecticide 50 disposed within the compartment 44. Evaporation of the fluid preservative and insecticide will cause the same to impregnate the lower end 4 of the wood pole or post 60 to effectively prevent dry rot and attacks by termites and other types of insects.

It should also be noted that in the tightening down of the nuts 79 on the bolts 78 the pressure exerted thereby causes a more effective seal between the beveled upper end 46 and the lower end of the pole or post 60, and the connection of the bolts 78 with the lower end of the pole or post 60, due to the use of a plurality thereof, tends to restrain any rotation of the pole or post 60 relative to the base 12. The tendency of the pole or post 60 to rotate with respect to its base 12 is further restricted due to the provision of the grooves 84 in which a section of the main body portion 82 of the bolts 78 is received. To enhance the securing of the bolts 78 to the lower end of the post or pole 60 it is desirable to provide a staple for each of the bolts 78, the staple engaging about the main body portion of each bolt 78 adjacent the upper end thereof and penetrating the pole or post 60 adjacent its respective lower end.

A utility pole or post 10 constructed as described above will successfully withstand the onslaught of adverse weather conditions and the attack of termites or other insects, and when employed as a fence post or in a similar manner, it will be readily seen that the cost of replacement of the poles or posts will be materially reduced or completely eliminated.

Having described and illustrated one embodiment of this invention in detail, it will be understood that the same is offered merely by way of example, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An article of manufacture comprising a prefabricated base for a utility post or pole, said base being preferably formed of a molded concrete material and comprising a substantially cylindrical main body portion having a reduced one end, a plurality of connector elements embedded within said main body portion in circumferentially-spaced relation relative to one another and being disposed adjacent said reduced one end, said elements being elongated in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said main body portion and each having a passage extending longitudinally therethrough, an elongated rod for each of said connectors, each of said rods having a portion thereof extending through the passage of its associated connector and extending from end-to-end of said base, said rods being parallel to one another with their respective axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of said base, an L-shaped element for each of said connectors, said elements being embedded within said main body portion, each of said elements having a leg and a flange portion, said leg portion of each element being juxtaposed against its respective connector element with the flange portion thereof extending radially inwardly toward the axis of said main body portion, said rods extending through, respectively, the immediately-adjacent flange of its associated element, and means connecting one end of said pole or post to said reduced end of said base, said means extending through said leg for connection with said connectors.

2. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 1, and a washer juxtaposed against, respectively, each of said legs and being embedded within said main body portion with said means extending therethrough, and said legs each having a portion thereof extending radially and inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of said main body portion.

3. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 2, and an elongated substantially hollow cylindrical sleeve surrounding said reduced one end and having an end thereof projecting therebeyond, said end of said sleeve being adapted to receive said one end of said pole or post thereon.

4. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 3, wherein, said sleeve is provided with a closure wall extending transversely thereacross in paced relation relative sure wall extending transversely across said sleeve interto said end of said sleeve to form a liquid-receiving co Ilmediate the ends thereof, said closure wall being spaced partment adjacent said end of said pole or post. from said neck and cooperating with said sleeve to form 5. In combination, a utility pole and a base therefor, With said other end of said sleeve a liquid-receiving comsaid base being formed of a molded concrete material 5 partment, means extending through said other end of said and having an elongated substantially cylindrical consleeve to admit a liquid in said chamber, said means infiguration including a main body portion having a pair eluding a one-way check vlave. of opposed ends, said main body portion being substan- Ill. In the combination defined in claim 9, wherein tially embedded in the ground and having an exposed end said other end of said pole is provided with a plurality of reduced diameter to form a cylindrical neck and a 10 of circumferentially-spaced pockets, a plurality of L- circu rnferential shoulder, said main body portion having shaped elements each having leg and foot portions, said a plurality of connectors embodied therein in circum leg portions of said L-shaped elements being disposed ferentially-spaced relation relative to one another, an elon- Within said pockets, respectively, said foot portions of said gated substantially hollow cylindrical sleeve surrounding L-shaped elements projecting outwardly away from said said neck and having an end seated on said shoulder, pole, said leg portions being arranged in diametricallythe other end of said sleeve projecting beyond said neck, opposed pairs with each pair being longitudinally spaced said pole being elongated and substantially cylindrical from each other relative to the longitudinal axis of said in configuration and having a pair of opposed ends with pole, bolt means extending through each diametricallyone of said ends seating on the other end of said sleeve, opposed leg portions of said L-shaped elements tosealld means COHIleCtfid W Said p jacent its said one cure said leg portions within said pockets, said first-named end with said connectors to secure said pole to said base, ends of said eye bolts extending through said foot porsaid means spanning said sleeve. tions of said L-shaped elements, and nuts threadedly en- 6. In the combination defined in claim 5, wherein said gaged on said threaded ends of said eye bolts and bearmeans comprises an elongated eye bolt for each coning against said foot portions of said L-shaped elements ne'ctor, said eye bolts each having an end thereof threadthereby to fixedly secure said post on the upper end of edly connected with said pole, and a bolt extending said sleeve. through each eye for threaded connection with said con- 11. In the combination defined in claim 10, wherein nectors. said pole includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced 7. In the combination defined in claim 6, wherein said longitudinallyextending grooves, and said eye bolts are connector comprises an elongated substantially rectanguprovided with portions thereof bent inwardly to be relar element having a passage extending therethrough subceived within said grooves. stantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said main body portion, and a rod for each of said connectors, said References Cited y the Examiner 1rltzlds beiang gri gediihed Wlf'thlilt sad magnobodly potion and UNITED STATES PATENTS vin rin ereoe'enin ru sr ase ofits fissofiated connector g g a p s ag 864,854 9/1907 Murray 52-295 8. In the combination defined in claim 7, and an L- 919771 4/1909 Roberts 52-495 shaped element for each of said connectors, said L-shaped 1,037,678 9/1912 snydfir elements each comprising a leg portion having a flange 2 1/1919 52-295 at one end thereof, said L-shaped elements being ern- 4O L541919 5/1926 Ethendge 52-495 bedded in and molded with said main body portion, said 1735722 11/1929 Beard 52-168 leg portions abutting against each of their respective as- 1874359 8/1932 Rutherford 52 295 sociated connectors, said flanges extending radially and 2,449,698 9/1948 Hartlem 52*295 inwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of said 2625815 1/1953 Black 52295 main body portion, and said rods extending through said flanges FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

9. In the combination defined in claim 8, and a clotA- T in 

1. AN ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE COMPRISING A PREFABRICATED BASE FOR A UTILITY POST OF POLE, SAID BASE BEING PREFERABLY FORMED OF A MOLDED CONCRETE MATERIAL AND COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL MAIN BODY PORTION HAVING A REDUCED ONE END, A PLURALITY OF CONNECTOR ELEMENTS EMBEDDED WITHIN SAID MAIN BODY PORTION IN CIRCUMFERENTIALLY-SPACED RELATION RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER AND BEING DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID REDUCED ONE END, SAID ELEMENTS BEING ELONGATED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID MAIN BODY PORTION AND EACH HAVING A PASSAGE EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THERETHROUGH, AN ELONGATED ROD FOR EACH OF SAID CONNECTORS, EACH OF SAID RODS HAVING A PORTION THEREOF EXTENDING THROUGH THE PASSAGE OF ITS ASSOCIATED CONNECTOR AND EXTENDING FROM END-TO-END OF SAID BASE, SAID RODS BEING PARALLEL TO ONE ANOTHER WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE AXES PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID BASE, AN L-SHAPED ELEMENT FOR EACH OF SAID CONNECTORS, SAID ELEMENTS BEING EMBEDDED WITHIN SAID MAIN BODY PORTION, EACH OF SAID ELEMENTS HAVING A LEG AND A FLANGE PORTION, SAID LEG PORTION OF EACH ELEMENT BEING JUXTAPOSED 